Texas Rangers Blog

Rangers hitting Mike Napoli eighth for the time being

ARLINGTON - Only the Rangers could have a guy who hit .320 last year with 30 homers batting in the No. 8 spot.

The Rangers’ decision to start OF David Murphy in left field this season has had an impact on C Mike Napoli. Napoli, who primarily hit sith when he played in 2011, has been moved to the No. 8 spot in order to split up the pair of left-handed hitters – Murphy and 1B Mitch Moreland – at the bottom of the Rangers’ lineup.

Napoli, who went 1-for-7 in his first two games, will hit eighth for the second time in his three starts on Monday. Hitting in the eighth spot in 2011 didn’t seem to cause any issues for Napoli. He hit .357 with six homers in 56 at-bats there last year.